I

 know I'm starting to sound like a broken record, but it's another busy weekend around the Kanawha Valley. Here's a look at what's happening now through Sunday around the region.

And make sure you never miss an event – click here to subscribe to the FREE Kanawha Valley Update newsletter to get more local news and other happenings delivered each weekday to your inbox.

Friday, May 8

Music

• TIMMY COURTS & FRIENDS: 5 p.m. No cover. The Empty Glass, 410 Elizabeth St., Charleston.

• OPEN MIC NIGHT: 6:30 p.m. Free. Clendenin Brewing Co., 2 Main Street, Clendenin.

• RICKY LEE: 7-8 p.m. Included in price of Ribfest entrance ($7 adults, $3 children). Ben Morris Field, 8500 MacCorkle Ave. S.E., Charleston.

• ALAN AND THE CHEAP BEATS: 7-9 p.m. Free. Coal River Coffee Co., 66 Olde Main Plaza, St. Albans.

• STEVE HIMES: 7:30-9:30 p.m. Free. Taylor Books, 226 Capitol St., Charleston.

• MOUNTAIN STATE MUSIC: 8-9 p.m. Free, but donations highly encouraged. Featuring The Holler and Caden Glover. Folklore Music Exchange, 191 Summers St., Charleston.

• JOSH PANTRY: 8-9:30 p.m. Included in price of Ribfest entrance ($7 adults, $3 children). Ben Morris Field, 8500 MacCorkle Ave. S.E., Charleston.

• EMPTY GLASS LIVE: 9:30 p.m. $7 cover. Ages 21+. Featuring Roofus and The Rex, Fat Shane, Ice Zaya, and Nolan Collins & The Raccoon Wranglers. The Empty Glass, 410 Elizabeth St., Charleston.

Dance

• SWAN LAKE: 7:30 p.m. $27 adults, $14 children under age 12. Presented by the Charleston Ballet and the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra. Clay Center, 1 Clay Square, Charleston.

Stage/Theater

• A TALE OF A WEST VIRGINIA HOT DOG: 6 p.m. Free. RSVP online. Park Place Cinemas, 600 Washington St. E., Charleston.

• I SWEAR: 7:30 p.m. $12 general admission, $7 students with valid ID. Floralee Hark Cohen Cinema, 226 Capitol St., Charleston.

• LEE STREET DRAG SHOW: 11 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. The Lee Street Lounge, 222 Leon Sullivan Way, Charleston.

Etc.

• POWER UP EXERCISE CLASS: 10:30 a.m. Free. South Charleston Public Library, 312 Fourth Avenue, South Charleston.

• RINGLING BROS. BARNUM & BAILEY CIRCUS: 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. $26+ per person. Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center, 200 Civic Center Drive, Charleston.

• CROSS LANES BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP: 11 a.m.-Noon. Free. Cross Lanes Branch Library, 5449 Big Tyler Road, Charleston.

• RIBFEST: 11 a.m-2 p.m. (lunch) and 4-10 p.m. (dinner). Entry fee $7 adults, $3 children. Music, food, children’s activities, inflatables and more. Ben Morris Field, 8500 MacCorkle Ave. S.E., Charleston.

• 414 CLUB: 2 p.m. $10 per person. Explore different creative projects from sewing to painting, all materials provided. Experiment with new art and crafts that you've always wanted to try. Call 304-546-0250 to register. Gallery on 4th, 414 Fourth Ave., Montgomery.

• CHESS CLUB: 2-4 p.m. Free. Dunbar Branch Library, 305 12th St., Dunbar.

• 80’S TRIVIA NIGHT: 6-7 p.m. Free. Southridge Chick-fil-A, 2509 Mountaineer Blvd., South Charleston.

• SPRING FLOWERS PAINT A POT CLASS: 6-8 p.m. $40 per person. Sage Beauty Co., 311 Washington St. W., Charleston.

• KALEIDOSCOPE COLLECTIVE MEETING: 7 p.m. Free. All-ages LGBTQIA2S+ social and support group. Allies welcome to attend. Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 520 Kanawha Blvd. W., Charleston.

• DRUM CIRCLE: 7-9 p.m. All ages. Outside food permitted. Dog friendly (must be on leash). Wandering Wind Meadery, 422 Washington St. West, Charleston.

• A BIBLICAL CASE FOR BOTH ANCIENT & MODERN ISRAEL: 7:30 p.m. Free. Sponsored by Christians United for Israel (CUFI). Presentation by Dylan Manley, Ministry Engagement Coordinator for CUFI. Keystone Apostolic Church, 201 Keystone Drive, Charleston.

• EMPRESSIONS – A FEMME ART ENVIRONMENT CLOSING RECEPTION: 5-8 p.m. Featuring 18 local artists with guest poet Crystal Good and musical guest Unmanned. Ghost Gallery, 1599 Washington St. E., Charleston.

• LADIES NIGHT: 8 p.m. Free admission. Ages 21+.  Music by DJ Josh Kyle With a special opening set from Charleston's own punk rock ukulele sensation — CokeAndRedrum. DC’s Sports Bar, 8022 MacCorkle Ave., Marmet.

Saturday, May 9

Music

• SING OUT WITH SPRING: 6 p.m. Free, but donations welcome. Featuring the West Virginia Voices Youth Choir and Chris Engel on piano, with special guests the Mixed Nuts Quartet. Southeast Church of the Nazarene, 5102 MacCorkle Ave. S.E., Charleston.

• JOHN RICHARDS: 6:30 p.m. Free. Clendenin Brewing Co., 2 Main St., Clendenin.

• ANALOG BOY: 7-8 p.m. Included in price of Ribfest entrance ($7 adults, $3 children). Ben Morris Field, 8500 MacCorkle Ave. S.E., Charleston.

• ATTICUS: 7:30-9:30 p.m. Free. Taylor Books, 226 Capitol St., Charleston.

• AMOS STEEL: 8-9:30 p.m. Included in price of Ribfest entrance ($7 adults, $3 children). Ben Morris Field, 8500 MacCorkle Ave. S.E., Charleston.

• EMO NIGHT EMPTY GLASS LIVE: 10 p.m. $7 cover. Ages 21+. Featuring CokeAndRedrum, Isaac Stephens and your favorite emo music mixed by DJ Josh Kyle. The Empty Glass, 410 Elizabeth St., Charleston.

Dance

• SWAN LAKE: 2 p.m. $27 adults, $14 children under age 12. Presented by the Charleston Ballet and the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra. Clay Center, 1 Clay Square, Charleston.

• WEST COAST SWING WORKSHOPS: 3-10 p.m. $45 per person. Includes three dance workshops and entry to the evening social dance. St. Albans American Legion Post 73, 1011 Pennsylvania Ave., St. Albans.

Stage/Theater

• FANTASY LIFE: 2:30 p.m. $12 general admission, $7 students with valid ID. Floralee Hark Cohen Cinema, 226 Capitol St., Charleston.

• I SWEAR: 5 p.m. $12 general admission, $7 students with valid ID. Floralee Hark Cohen Cinema, 226 Capitol St., Charleston.

• THE CHRISTOPHERS: 7:30 p.m. $12 general admission, $7 students with valid ID. Floralee Hark Cohen Cinema, 226 Capitol St., Charleston.

• IT’S GONNA BE MAY COMEDY SHOW: 7:30 p.m. $15 per person. Alban Arts Academy, 2121 Kanawha Terrace, St. Albans.

• LEE STREET DRAG SHOW: 11 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. The Lee Street Lounge, 222 Leon Sullivan Way, Charleston.

Etc.

• CHARLESTON PARKRUN: 8 a.m. Free. Magic Island, 181 Kanawha Blvd.W., Charleston.

• NITRO SPRING CLEAN UP: 8 a.m. Free. Sign up online. A community-wide cleanup hosted by Jet Cleanup. Volunteers will receive a free event t-shirt, free lunch and signed volunteer hours for school, sports, or other programs. Nitro City Pool, 1600 Park Ave., Nitro.

• STEVE & JENNY’S V100 YARD SALE: 8 a.m.-Noon. Dozens of yard sale vendors in one spot. Laidley Field, 200 Elizabeth St., Charleston.

• EAST END YARD SALE: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Various locations, East End, Charleston.

• EQUINE COMPLEX GRAND OPENING: 9 a.m. Free entry. Gates open at 9 a.m., trails open at 10 a.m., and the horse show is at 1 p.m. Ribbon-cutting ceremony takes place at intermission. Camp Virgil Tate, 1400 Camp Virgil Tate Road, Charleston.

• CARS & COFFEE: 9 a.m.-Noon. Moses BMW, 2001 MacCorkle Ave., St. Albans.

• OSBRA EYE SPRING WALKS: 9:30 a.m. Free. Choose from five guided trail walks of differing difficulty and theme. Kanawha State Forest, 7500 Kanawha State Forest Drive, Charleston.

• TEDDY BEAR FAIR: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Event for children and caregivers to explore healthcare in a fun environment. Explore services, meet healthcare staff, enjoy free food and games and win prizes. Vandalia Health CAMC Women and Children's Hospital, 800 Pennsylvania Ave., Charleston.

• SPRING SERVE & SOCIALIZE: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Sponsored by Charleston Pickleball Club. Open to members and non-members. Bring a side dish to share. Paddle giveaway, BBQ provided by Bogeys, prizes, and a full day of open-play on the courts. Nitro Athletic Complex, 1650 Park Ave., Nitro.

• CAR & CRAFT SHOW: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free entry. A fun-filled day featuring classic cars, crafts, and food trucks. Sissonville Middle School, 132 Middle School Lane, Charleston.

• MOTHER’S DAY VENDOR EVENT: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Puzzled Pistols Boutique, 425 Big Chimney Blvd., Big Chimney.

• RINGLING BROS. BARNUM & BAILEY CIRCUS: 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. $26+ per person. Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center, 200 Civic Center Drive, Charleston.

• COMMUNITY YOGA: 11 a.m.-Noon. Free. Beginner‑friendly class designed to be inclusive, safe, and trauma‑informed, welcoming people of all ages, backgrounds, identities, beliefs, and lived experiences.  St. Albans Yoga & Fitness Co‑Op, 808 B St., Suite 201, St. Albans.

• TOUCH-A-TRUCK 2026: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Presented by Exceptional Possibilities of West Virginia. Children, adults, and their family can see, touch, get behind the wheel, and explore real life vehicles. The first hour (11 a.m.-noon) will be sensory friendly (no horns/sirens). A calm down area, sensory fidgets, and communication boards will also be available. City Center at Slack Plaza, 169 Summers St., Charleston.

• SALT FEST: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free entry. Live music (Kanawha Tradition, Josh Pantry, and Parachute Brigade), 35+ artisan vendors, children’s activities, tours of the salt farm and more. J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works, 4797 Midland Drive, Malden.

• RIBFEST: 11 a.m-10 p.m. Entry fee $7 adults, $3 children. Music, food, children’s activities, inflatables and more. Ben Morris Field, 8500 MacCorkle Ave. S.E., Charleston.

• IRISH ROAD BOWLING TEAM BOWL & SINGLES QUALIFIER: 12:30 p.m. registration, 1:30 p.m. bowling. Free with $5 ball deposit. Qualifying event for state championship will take place directly after the team bowl. Kanawha State Forest, 7500 Kanawha State Forest Drive, Charleston.

• RAISING MONARCHS: 1 p.m. Free. Presentation by  Kelley Barnes Berry, who will share her experiences raising Monarch Butterfly caterpillars in her garden, what techniques she applied, and how you can replicate some of her techniques. Kanawha State Forest, Nature Center, 7500 Kanawha State Forest Drive, Charleston.

• SUPER SATURDAY – KINDNESS CLUB STORYTIME & CHALLENGE: 2-3 p.m. Free. Students ages 5-12 can make a special flower bouquet for their teacher to celebrate all they have done this year. Kanawha County Public Library, Children’s Services, 123 Capitol St., Charleston.

• FOAM AT THE DOME: 3-7 p.m. $45 general admission, $55 early VIP admission. Designated drivers enter free. Live music, local food, artisan and retail vendors, craft beer samples and more. West Virginia State Capitol Complex, 1900 Kanawha Blvd. E., Charleston.

• “ALL MY BABIES” FILM SCREENING & MIDWIFE PANEL: 5-7:30 p.m. Free. Presented by Freedom River Midwifery. West Virginia State University, 5000 Fairlawn Ave., Institute.

• 2026 PRIDE PAGEANT: 6 p.m. $20 per person. Includes Cash bar, bites and food by Pentecostal Affirming Ministries, supporting their food pantry. Beni Kedem Shriners, 100 Quarrier St., Charleston.

• BUSH LEAGUE MEN’S BASKETBALL GAME 4: 6-9 p.m. Bigley Field, 1602 Bigley Ave., Charleston.

• 2026 CHARLESTON STERNWHEEL REGATTA PAGEANTS: 7 p.m. Nitro High School, 1300 Park Ave., Charleston.

• R&B SOUL BINGO: 7-11 p.m. $22 per person. Sumthin’ Good Soul Food, 4837 MacCorkle Ave. S.W., South Charleston.

• VARIETY TALENT SHOWCASE: 8-10 p.m. $10 per person. Ages 18+. Featuring comedy, drag, burlesque, cosplay, and fire dancing. Wandering Wind Meadery, 422 Washington St. W., Charleston.

Sunday, May 10

Music

• MADISON HEDRICK SENIOR FLUTE RECITAL: 7:30 p.m. Free. West Virginia State University, Davis Fine Arts Theater, 5000 Fairlawn Ave., Institute.

Stage/Theater

• THE CHRISTOPHERS: 1 p.m. $12 general admission, $7 students with valid ID. Floralee Hark Cohen Cinema, 226 Capitol St., Charleston.

• FANTASY LIFE: 3 p.m. $12 general admission, $7 students with valid ID. Floralee Hark Cohen Cinema, 226 Capitol St., Charleston.

Etc.

• MOTHER’S DAY AFTERNOON TEA: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Finger sandwiches, fresh pastries, and organic teas. Full menu available, including two specialty items — chicken tortellini with sun-dried tomato sauce and strawberry pecan salads. Reservations are strongly suggested. J. Elliott’s Bistro & Dessertery, 1600 MacCorkle Ave., St. Albans.

• MOTHER’S DAY MARKET: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Eclectic Goods Market, 1401 Charles Ave., Dunbar.

• RIBFEST: Noon-8 p.m. Entry fee $7 adults, $3 children. Music, food, children’s activities, inflatables and more. Ben Morris Field, 8500 MacCorkle Ave. S.E., Charleston.

• RINGLING BROS. BARNUM & BAILEY CIRCUS: 1 p.m. $26+ per person. Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center, 200 Civic Center Drive, Charleston.

• MOTHER’S DAY TEA & BLOOMS: 2-3:30 p.m. $55 per person. Create your own spring vase arrangement using a curated selection of locally grown blooms while enjoying a selection of artisan teas, refreshing mocktails, and a spread of petite desserts, scones, and sweet bites. South Charleston Farmer’s Market, 4006 MacCorkle Ave. S.W., South Charleston.

• BLOOMS & BITES – A MOTHER’S DAY GARDEN PARTY: 2-4 p.m. $100 per person. Create your own hanging basket filled with local flowers while sipping spring-themed refreshments and enjoying light hors d'oeuvres. Capitol Market, 800 Smith St., Charleston.

• MOTHER’S DAY FLOWER PAINTING: 2-4 p.m. $42 per person. Get creative and celebrate mom by painting beautiful flowers. South Charleston Farmer’s Market, 4006 MacCorkle Ave. S.W., South Charleston.

• RIBFEST RUMBLE: 3 p.m. Included in price of Ribfest entrance ($7 adults, $3 children). Presented by Mega Pro Wrestling. Ben Morris Field, 8500 MacCorkle Ave. S.E., Charleston.

• BLADES IN BLOOM SPRING SHOW: 6 p.m. $10 adults, $5 students/seniors. Charleston Skating Club’s spring performance. South Charleston Memorial Ice Arena, 20 RHL Blvd., South Charleston.

Events are subject to change. If you have questions, please reach out to organizers. For events beyond the Kanawha Valley, please see the Arts Amplified website. Know of something happening in Kanawha County that you’d like to share with readers? Send event info and contact details to ramsburgreports@gmail.com to be featured in a future calendar.